Confluence of religious holidays led to happy meeting

Tue., April 18, 2023

• It happens only once in 33 years when Ramadan for Muslims, Easter for Christians, Passover for Jews and Vaisakhi/Baisakhi for Hindus and Sikhs fall at the same time. This year it was a treat to have such a confluence happen, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at organized an Interfaith and Multicultural Flavours of Iftar dinner event at the Toyota Auditorium in Cambridge.

It was a beautiful and enriching experience where Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs got together to break the fast last Saturday during Ramadan, Easter weekend and Jewish Passover with a delicious and sumptuous meal. Scholars of these five faiths spoke from the points of view of their respective religions. Some 150 were in attendance, including local and regional leaders.

We are all aware of the tensions in different parts of the world like the Gaza Strip, or in India where different faith groups often spark violence and hatred. However, on the contrary, in Waterloo Region there is an amazing display of unity and interfaith harmony and respect for each other’s values and beliefs.

“Love for All, Hatred for None” is the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and it was just a stunning absolute love that filled the room last weekend.

Nabeel RanaKitchener

source https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editors/2023/04/18/confluence-of-religious-holidays-led-to-happy-meeting.html